Due to spacecraft glitches, astronaut Sunita Williams’ return from space was delayed.

Like the seven other crew members who live in the “mini-city in space,” Sunita Williams and her fellow traveler Butch Wilmore are safe on the International Space Station (ISS).

NASA, the American space agency, has confirmed that Sunita Williams, an astronaut of Indian descent, will not be making her “happy landing” on the International Space Station (ISS) on the previously scheduled date.

This occurs at the same time as the Boeing Starliner, the spacecraft she used to get to space, has been having a number of technical issues. Like the seven other crew members who live in the “mini-city in space,” Sunita Williams and her fellow traveler Butch Wilmore are safe on the International Space Station (ISS).

Ms. Williams, who was traveling on the Boeing Starliner during its inaugural mission, arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5 for a potentially 10-day stay. However, due to problems with the small rockets that aid in the crew module’s return to Earth and a string of helium leaks that plague the aircraft during its first crewed flight, the mission has been extended twice.

Since there are plenty of supplies in orbit and the station’s schedule is mostly open through mid-August, NASA says the crew is not under any time pressure to depart the station.

Ms. Williams was originally scheduled to return on June 14. This date was canceled, and NASA rescheduled her return for June 26. The new date has not yet been disclosed.

“The leadership of NASA and Boeing is modifying the Starliner Crew Flight Test spacecraft’s return to Earth with agency personnel. In addition to giving mission teams time to examine propulsion system data, the move on Wednesday, June 26, deconflicts Starliner’s undocking and landing with a series of scheduled spacewalks aboard the International Space Station, according to a statement.

The Boeing Starliner has five malfunctioning thrusters out of its 28 total, and there have also been five helium leaks on board. A minimum of 14 thrusters, according to experts, are needed for a safe return.

According to Boeing, “Starliner has completed 77 of the original 87 flight-test objectives, with the remaining 10 will occur between undocking and landing.”

Mission management are assessing potential return possibilities in the future after the station’s two scheduled spacewalks on Monday, June 24, and Tuesday, July 2, according to NASA. It is possible that Ms. Williams, on her third voyage to space, may spend over a month there.

“While docked to the space station, Starliner is operating effectively in orbit,” stated Steve Stich, the manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

“We are strategically using the extra time to clear a path for some critical station activities while completing readiness for Butch and Suni’s return on Starliner and gaining valuable insight into the system upgrades we will want to make for post-certification missions.”

Boeing encountered multiple setbacks throughout the creation of the Starliner. Originally, the company was awarded a $4.2 billion contract to finish the project; however, it has since spent over $5.7 billion, and the mission remains unfinished.

NASA was pushing for Boeing Starliner because they wanted a backup plan in case SpaceX’s Crew Dragon proved to be too disruptive. In addition to its general struggles, Boeing’s aviation and aircraft division has been struggling as well.

According to NASA, Wilmore and Williams continue to work closely with the Expedition 71 crew, helping out on the station as needed and doing additional in-flight tasks that are necessary for Starliner’s NASA certification.

Ms. Williams is a certified test pilot for the navy who has flown twice before, in 2006 and 2012. Based on NASA data, Sunita had already spent a total of 322 days in space prior to this Starliner voyage.

“With seven space walks totalling 50 hours and 40 minutes, Sunita held the record for total cumulative spacewalk time by a female astronaut but that has since been overtaken by Peggy Whitson with 10 spacewalks.”

Since Ms. Williams contributed to the Boeing Starliner’s design, she ought to be well-versed in all of its specifics.

Such Unexpected Delays on First Missions

“We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process,” stated Stich.

When it comes to handling the minor helium system leaks and thruster performance we saw during the rendezvous and docking, we are letting the facts guide our decisions. Furthermore, considering the length of the mission, it is important that we do an agency-level review, akin to the one carried out prior to NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 return after two months in orbit, in order to officially record the agency’s approval of the plan as it stands.”

Such Unexpected Delays on First Missions

“We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process,” stated Stich.

When it comes to handling the minor helium system leaks and thruster performance we saw during the rendezvous and docking, we are letting the facts guide our decisions. Furthermore, considering the length of the mission, it is important that we do an agency-level review, akin to the one carried out prior to NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 return after two months in orbit, in order to officially record the agency’s approval of the plan as it stands.”

The entire fairing community is praying for Ms. Williams and Mr. Wilmore to return safely in the interim, but if SpaceX’s Crew Dragon is needed for their rescue, Boeing might find itself in a difficult situation.